The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has formally awarded its presidential ticket for the 2028 election to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, clearing the way for him to seek a second term without contesting a party primary.
The ticket was presented to President Muizzu by PNC Chairperson and Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla during the closing ceremony of the party’s 2026 Congress on Friday night.
The formal presentation came a day after PNC members unanimously approved a resolution calling on Muizzu to represent the party in the next presidential election.
A total of 1,119 delegates present at the September 17 session backed the resolution through a show of hands, according to the party.
The resolution was submitted during the PNC Congress as the party moved to settle its presidential candidacy well ahead of the 2028 election.
Under Article 88 of the PNC’s constitution, a sitting president who is a member of the party and wishes to contest for a second term can be awarded the presidential ticket without going through a primary.
The resolution cited the Muizzu administration’s record since taking office on November 17, 2023 as the basis for backing him for another five-year term.
Among the areas highlighted by the party were the government’s policies on national sovereignty and security. The resolution credited the administration with ending the presence of foreign military personnel in the Maldives and strengthening the country’s capacity to monitor and protect its maritime territory.
Economic policy also featured prominently in the resolution. The PNC pointed to fiscal reforms and measures taken to manage the country’s debt burden, while arguing that the administration had sought to address financial pressures without imposing additional burdens on the public.
The party further cited efforts to diversify the economy beyond its traditional sectors, including policies aimed at expanding tourism, modernising fisheries and agriculture, developing commercial ports and increasing economic opportunities for young people and women.
The government’s Digital Maldives 2.0 initiative and efforts to introduce international payment services were also listed among the reasons for extending the party’s backing to Muizzu.
On infrastructure and social development, the resolution highlighted the Ras Malé development as part of the administration’s response to housing shortages, alongside infrastructure projects being undertaken across the atolls.
It also referred to government policies on renewable energy, healthcare, social protection and services for senior citizens.
Measures targeting drug trafficking and abuse, undocumented expatriates and criminal activity were among the other areas highlighted by the party.
The resolution also praised the administration’s policies on education, the preservation of the Maldives’ Islamic identity and cultural heritage, and its foreign policy. In particular, the party pointed to President Muizzu’s advocacy for Palestinian rights at international forums.
PNC leaders argued during the Congress that continuing the administration’s current policy direction required President Muizzu to remain in office for a second term.
Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef was among senior party figures who spoke in support of the resolution, while Abdul Raheem described securing a second term for Muizzu as a central objective for the ruling party.
The decision represents an unusually early confirmation of the ruling party’s candidate, with approximately two years remaining before the next scheduled presidential election.
Muizzu won the presidency in 2023 after contesting as the candidate of the PPM-PNC coalition. He defeated then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the second round of the election before taking office on November 17, 2023.
The political landscape surrounding the 2028 election is also beginning to take shape.
Former President Abdulla Yameen, who now leads the People’s National Front (PNF), has publicly declared his intention to contest the election. Within the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail has announced his intention to seek the party’s presidential nomination, while other senior figures have also been linked to a possible primary contest.
With the PNC Congress decision, however, the ruling party has already settled its nomination process, formally positioning President Muizzu as its candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
